Syracuse Realty Group, which is transforming North Syracuse’s former post office into luxury apartments, is seeking a tax break to expand its Village Commons Project.

Owner Ozzie Crisalli presented the village’s board of trustees with an update of the 201 S. Main St. project at the board’s Sept. 24 meeting.

“We’re in the process of trying to purchase the Dollar Store building and make … Village Commons a two-building complex,” Crisalli said.

Crisalli said SRG is seeking a 485-A residential-commercial urban exemption from the North Syracuse Central School District. The village has granted the exemption, but the town of Clay and the school district have not, a decision Crisalli called “short-sighted.”

“The school comes to the business community for support for the budget, but it’s got to be a reciprocal thing,” Crisalli said.

Mayor Gary Butterfield explained that the 485-A exemption is a 12-year partial tax exemption on the increase of the property assessment, which breaks down as follows:

100 percent of the increase is exempted for eight years; 80 percent for year nine; 60 percent for year 10; 40 percent for year 11; and 20 percent for year 12.

Crisalli asked for the “written support” of Mayor Butterfield and the village board before going before the North Syracuse school board in December. The application for the exemption is due in March.

“Now we have something real to show them,” Crisalli said of the construction.

“I can’t imagine that people would not want us to move forward on this and get rid of that eyesore,” Trustee Diane Browning said of the South Main Street properties.

Crisalli, who is also a member of the board of directors of the Plank Road Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber wants to collaborate with the village to help North Syracuse market itself as a place to live.

“It has to do with real estate value, its walkability and things like that,” Crisalli said. “The village’s website generates a lot of traffic; ours [Plank Road’s] is struggling.”

Fire budget approved

The board approved the North Syracuse Fire Department’s budget for the village’s 2016-17 fiscal year and the towns of Cicero and Clay for 2016. The $702,521 budget represents a 0.73 percent increase over the current fiscal year’s budget.

The department expects $541,488 in revenue from Cicero and Clay ($270,744 each) and $238,812 from the village of North Syracuse. These contributions cover the operating budget, capital expenses, insurance and Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) costs.

In 2016, the fire department plans to purchase a new vehicle for Rescue 7, replace the apparatus apron at Station No. 1 and update the apparatus bay doors, which date back to 1982.

“The North Syracuse Fire Department continues to hold the line on spending and is doing everything possible to assist with the financial situations that are presented in today’s economy,” Chief Tim Ellis wrote in a letter to the mayor accompanying his proposed budget. “We will continue to provide the village of North Syracuse [and the] towns of Cicero and Clay with excellent fire protection without placing a financial burden on the taxpayers.”

Personnel appointment

The board also voted for the provisional appointment of Pearl Fuller to the newly approved position of confidential assistant to the clerk/treasurer. Fuller’s appointment is effective from Aug. 1, 2015, through Feb. 1, 2016.

Fuller belongs to the Teamsters Local 317 union. Village attorney Scott Chatfield said he was not sure if the union would challenge the nonunion position since a union member is filling the post.

For now, Fuller may remain a union member while in the job, but Browning asked what the board would have to do when Fuller’s provisional appointment is up in February.

“The board will come to a determination,” Chatfield said. “Both sides have options and that’s what we’re trying to do … to make sure everybody’s as happy as possible.”

Parks and rec news

Dog park: During the public comment period, resident Darlene Piper said she was concerned about the plan to build an enclosed dog park within Heritage Park. Piper said the village should consult residents who live next to the park, adding that her dog “doesn’t like” dog parks.

Butterfield noted that a poll on the village’s website showed that the majority of voters were in favor of a dog park, but Piper pointed out that people can vote multiple times on the village website’s polls.

“I don’t want to pay for it,” Piper said.

“It’d be nominal,” Parks and Recreation Director Teresa Roth said. Roth said she is waiting to hear back about a grant she applied for to cover the cost of the dog park before moving ahead with the project.

Lonergan Park: Enhancements will be made to Lonergan Park this fall using money secured by Assemblyman Al Stirpe. The board of trustees authorized the mayor to sign an agreement with Fayetteville architect Craig Polhamus and approve specs for the project by Oct. 9.

Roth said improvements to the park will include an electronic sign and landscaping at the entrance, handicapped-accessible parking and restrooms, a new dance deck and updated storage facilities.

Bids for the project will be opened at 10 a.m. Oct. 21 and will be awarded at the board’s Oct. 22 meeting.

-Halloween party: The parks and recreation department will host its annual “Halloween Bash” from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at St. Rose Church. The event, which is for village youth age 12 or younger, will feature a magic show, costume parade, crafts, games and Halloween treats for all.